{"hq_id":"hq-p-bdy-000123","name":"Shaving Cream and Gel","category":{"primary":"personal_care","secondary":"shaving","tags":["shaving cream","propylene glycol","paraben","fragrance","razor burn","skin barrier"]},"product_tier":"BDY","overall_risk_level":"low","description":"Shaving creams, gels, and foams containing surfactants (SLS, stearic acid), emollients (glycerin, propylene glycol), preservatives (parabens, phenoxyethanol), and fragrance. Applied to face and body skin immediately before razor exposure — shaving creates microabrasions that dramatically increase chemical absorption. Pressurized aerosol cans use propane/butane propellant.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"low","synthesis_confidence":0.82,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_adult","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":0.977,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":3,"compounds_total":3,"synthesis_date":"2026-03-27","synthesis_version":"1.0.0"},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"individuals with sensitive skin, eczema","overall_risk":"low","primary_concerns":["Enhanced chemical absorption through razor-created microabrasions","Paraben absorption through compromised skin barrier","Fragrance causing post-shave irritation and sensitization"],"exposure_routes":"Dermal application to skin immediately compromised by shaving"},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal"],"contact_types":["skin_brief"],"users":["adult"],"duration":"minutes","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Application to face/body immediately before shaving (microabrasion absorption)","Propellant inhalation from aerosol can in enclosed bathroom","Daily facial shaving: cumulative preservative and fragrance exposure"],"notes":"Shaving creates 100-300 microcuts per shave, dramatically increasing dermal absorption of any product applied. Parabens are absorbed 10-100x more readily through razor-abraded skin. Fragrance-free, paraben-free formulations significantly reduce post-shave chemical absorption."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Choose fragrance-free, paraben-free formulations for facial shaving. Shaving creates microabrasions that increase chemical absorption by 10-100x. Consider shaving soap or oil as lower-ingredient alternatives.","safer_alternatives":["Fragrance-free shaving cream (Vanicream, CeraVe)","Shaving soap (tallow-based, minimal ingredients)","Shaving oil (coconut, jojoba — single ingredient)"],"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Product causes skin irritation, redness, or rash","meaning":"Contact dermatitis or chemical sensitivity.","action":"Discontinue use. Choose fragrance-free, hypoallergenic alternative."}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"EWG Verified or dermatologist-tested label","meaning":"Meets strict ingredient safety criteria.","verification":"Check EWG Skin Deep database for product rating."}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"Is this product fragrance-free (not just unscented)?","why_it_matters":"Fragrance is the #1 cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis. Unscented may still contain masking fragrance.","good_answer":"Fragrance-free — no fragrance ingredients at all.","bad_answer":"Unscented (may contain masking fragrance)."}],"alternatives":[{"name":"Fragrance-free shaving cream","notes":"Vanicream, CeraVe"},{"name":"Shaving soap","notes":"tallow-based, minimal ingredients"},{"name":"Shaving oil","notes":"coconut, jojoba — single ingredient"}]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"FDA Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Cosmetics)","citation":"21 U.S.C. 361-364","requirements":"Cosmetics must not be adulterated or misbranded. No pre-market approval required (except color additives). Fragrance ingredients exempt from individual disclosure.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"FDA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009","citation":"EC 1223/2009","requirements":"All cosmetic ingredients must be safety-assessed before market. 1,600+ banned substances. Full ingredient disclosure required (INCI). CMR substances prohibited.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"European Commission","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA -- California","regulation":"California Proposition 65","citation":"CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5","requirements":"Products containing listed chemicals require warnings.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"OEHHA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[{"name":"EWG Verified","issuer":"Environmental Working Group","standard":"EWG Verified Mark","scope":"Meets EWG strictest health criteria for personal care products"}],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":true,"disposal_guidance":"Recycle can/container.","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"months"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000094","name":"Propylene glycol","role":"humectant","concentration_pct":"5-10"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000087","name":"Methylparaben","role":"preservative","concentration_pct":"0.1-0.4"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000717","name":"Sodium lauryl sulfate","role":"surfactant","concentration_pct":"1-3"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[{"material_id":null,"material_name":"Primary formulation for shaving cream and gel","component":"main product","prevalence":"common","notes":"Standard personal care product formulation."}],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000094","compound_name":null,"role":"humectant","typical_concentration":"5-10%"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000087","compound_name":null,"role":"preservative","typical_concentration":"0.1-0.4%"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000717","compound_name":null,"role":"surfactant","typical_concentration":"1-3%"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["shaving cream and gel"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Skip Hop","manufacturer":"Carter's Inc.","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Designer play mat brand"},{"brand":"Baby Care","manufacturer":"Baby Care","market_position":"premium","notable":"Large foam play mats"},{"brand":"Lollaland","manufacturer":"Lollaland","market_position":"premium","notable":"Non-toxic play surface"}],"sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"FDA Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Cosmetics) (21 U.S.C. 361-364)","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"21 U.S.C. 361-364","id":"src_d6e8aa83"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (EC 1223/2009)","jurisdiction":"EU","citation":"EC 1223/2009","id":"src_dc378692"},{"type":"regulation","title":"California Proposition 65 (CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5)","jurisdiction":"USA -- California","citation":"CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5","id":"src_fe1d5adc"},{"id":"fda_pg_cat_food_ban","type":"regulatory","title":"US FDA: Propylene Glycol in Animal Food — Final Rule Prohibiting Use in Cat Food (21 CFR 582.4666) and GRAS Status for Dog Food","year":1996,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000094"},{"id":"aspca_apcc_pg","type":"veterinary","title":"ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Propylene Glycol — Heinz Body Anemia Risk in Cats and Species Differences in Erythrocyte Sensitivity","year":2022,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000094"},{"id":"eu_sccs_parabens_2021","type":"regulatory","title":"EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS): Opinion on Parabens (Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben) in Cosmetics","year":2021,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000087"},{"id":"iarc_3_methylparaben","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 101: Methylparaben — Group 3 Evaluation (Not Classifiable as to Carcinogenicity in Humans)","year":2013,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000087"},{"id":"src_001","type":"database","title":"PubChem Compound CID 3423265","url":"https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/3423265","accessed":"2026-03-12","notes":"Chemical identity, properties, safety data","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000717"},{"id":"src_002","type":"epa","title":"EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DTXSID1026031","url":"https://comptox.epa.gov/dashboard/chemical/details/DTXSID1026031","accessed":"2026-03-12","notes":"Hazard, exposure, and toxicity data","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000717"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-02T18:17:49.978Z"}}